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“Someone could’ve been seriously hurt,” I said, anger in my weak voice. “We’re going to have to press charges. I don’t want Forrester sabotaging anyone else.”
“It was because of me. He was gunning for me, and you got hurt.”
“I think I’m okay. I just—”
The doctor came in the room, and I looked at him.
“I know you’re eager to get out of here. I’ll release you in a few hours, but you have to promise to rest for a few days, no driving. Your tests indicate a very minor concussion and I’m forwarding the rest of the results to your OB. She’ll have them by this evening.”
I nodded, “Thank you, doctor. I can’t wait to go home.”
He left and I ventured a look at Noah whose hand had tightened on mine.
31
Noah
OB. Obstetrician. As in, a baby doctor.
Had I heard that right? Was Nicole pregnant?
I swiveled my head to look at her. Her eyes were so wide.
“Are you pregnant?” I asked, my voice sounding faraway.
She nodded. She couldn’t even speak.
“You’re having a baby. Is it mine? Am I the father?” I asked.
Looking absolutely pale and terrified, she nodded again.
“Nicole,” I said reproachfully. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
A tear slid out of her eye and rolled down her cheek.
“I’m sorry. I should have. But I was scared for my job and I was—I saw you leave the bar with that blonde girl the same day we slept together in my office, Noah. What was I supposed to think? That you were dying to raise a baby with me, that you were so excited to start a family with me that you couldn’t wait to go pick up some woman in a bar the same damn day?” my voice shook a little. I’m not sure if it was fear or anger.
“What blonde?” he said, looking confused.
“The blonde. The one that was with you at the bar and you paid for the drinks and then followed her out. I was there and I saw it. I was so upset about how I’d been carried away and slept with you again and I didn’t know if you wanted anything serious with me. And that answered my question, seeing you take that woman home with you, to your bed or the car or wherever you—”
“There was no blonde. I mean obviously you saw somebody, but I didn’t leave with anyone. I don’t know if she left after I blew her off or not. But when I took off, I went home alone. I haven’t been seeing anyone or hooking up with anyone since the first time I was with you. The night of the fire. It’s like I lost interest in anybody else but you. I turned that woman down. I wasn’t interested in her at all. I just compared her to you, and she was nothing.”
“Really?” she asked, like she couldn’t make herself believe it.
“Really. Do you not know how incredible you are? You’re so beautiful and confident and smart, and you wouldn’t take any crap off me or give up one bit of your authority on this job. You went toe to toe with me a dozen times and never backed down. I couldn’t take my eyes off you, Nic. You’re everything I want. And now… Now this. A baby. God, I wish you’d told me. That’s why you were sick, right? But you thought I was going out with all these other women and so you didn’t trust me—I’m sorry I made you think that even for a minute.”
I lifted her hand and kissed it.
“You’re the only one I want,” I said. “You and our baby.”
She smiled the most beautiful smile. “I want to be with you, too.”
I felt like I’d won the jackpot of a lifetime then. I leaned over and kissed her. She kissed me back, softly and sweetly. I rocked my lips over hers, slid my tongue into her mouth. This, yes this was what I’d waited for and wanted all along. We would’ve gone on kissing forever if we hadn’t heard whooping and applause from the doorway where Michelle and Trixie were cheering. We broke off the kiss and Nicole laughed. I laid my hand on her belly and looked in her eyes, unable to believe how lucky I was.
Epilogue
Nicole - One Year Later
We couldn’t walk three steps without somebody stopping us to tell us how amazing the community center was or how they’d come from Overton or further away to go to the farmer’s market because it had expanded so much.
“It’s the best one in the area,” a woman said.
“I like the covered booths,” her friend added, “and they have the best produce here.”
“Thanks,” Noah said to them “It was a real labor of love for us.”
Then he smiled at me. I kissed the top of Cooper’s head. He was napping in the baby carrier I was wearing. I kept my hand on him, loving how warm and cozy he was, how I felt so complete and happy with my baby on my chest, with Noah’s hand in mine.
